title: Breast cancer knowledge among women with intellectual disabilities and their experiences of receiving breast mammography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper is a report of a descriptive study of understanding of breast cancer and experiences of breast mammography among women with an intellectual disability.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Despite the efforts of government policies and documents to ensure equal access to improve health screening for people with intellectual disability, the uptake for breast mammography in this population still remains lower than that of the general population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative approach using four focus groups was undertaken with 19 women identified as having a borderline to moderate intellectual disability all of whom had received a breast mammography. Data collection took place in 2009. Analysis of the data was undertaken using thematic content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The women's knowledge of breast cancer including associated risks, preventative factors and signs and symptoms were extremely limited with their sources of knowledge primarily coming from carers or nursing staff on receipt of an invitation for mammography. Although these women expressed a positive attitude towards their experiences of breast mammography, they also described negative feelings of fear and anxiety, attributed to a lack of understanding about the screening process. A lack of information and embarrassment were identified as the main barriers to screening for this group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study highlights the need for accessible multi-format information in order to facilitate health promotion and education in women with intellectual disability, their family carers and healthcare staff working with this target group in order to enhance the knowledge and awareness of breast cancer and screening.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nursing Research, University of Ulster, Newtownabbey, UK.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Truesdale-Kennedy
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Taggart
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McIlfatrick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000453:epidemiology; D008136:Longevity; D008327:Mammography / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D019989:Persons with Intellectual Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology